President Yevgeny Shevchuk held a meeting with US Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova James Pettit. The Diplomat has held this position since January 30, 2015. This is his first visit to Pridnestrovie. Deputy Chairperson of the Government of the PMR for International Cooperation, Foreign Minister Nina Shtanski also attended the meeting.
Welcoming the Ambassador, the President said: “We always strive to expand contacts with representatives of all countries. It is necessary for a better understanding of the situation in Pridnestrovie and for our position to be heard.”
The meeting paid particular attention to the issues related to the negotiation process between Pridnestrovie and Moldova. The sides, particularly, noted the lack of the alternative to a dialogue. «At the same time, this requires a proper environment - without sanctions and restrictive measures. The Pridnestrovian side is ready to continue to be proactive, but confirmation of will on the part of the Moldovan partners is needed as well,” – said the head of state. Pridnestrovie sent a number of proposals to the 5+2 participants, the Moldovan partners, in the first place. “Given the economic situation in Moldova and Pridnestrovie, regional problems it is important to release the possibilities of the Moldovan and Pridnestrovian economies to engage more resources in the context of the crisis to stand up to it. These steps must first be taken to improve the welfare of people living in Pridnestrovie and Moldova. There is considerable potential to start resolve these problems within the framework of negotiations,” – said Yevgeny Shevchuk. Besides, the head of state noted the need for consistent performance of commitments by the negotiating parties, for taking into account the continuity of the agreements that had been previously agreed upon and signed.
During the exchange of views, the Pridnestrovian side reaffirmed its continued readiness for further contacts with the Moldovan partners both through the work of the expert groups, and at the level of political representatives in the format of “1 + 1”. “We expect that after the formation of a new government in Moldova a fruitful process of mutual work will begin and be aimed at the removal of the existing problematic processes,” – said Yevgeny Shevchuk.
The meeting also noted the importance of greater involvement in the dialogue between Pridnestrovie and Moldova at all stages the representatives of the guarantor countries, mediators and also observers which are the EU and the US.
At the end of the dialogue held today Yevgeny Shevchuk and James Pettit called it constructive and expressed hope for fruitful cooperation in the future.
